Johnny Kitagawa, the founder, and president of Johnny & Associates was one of the most influential figures in Japan’s entertainment industry. Over his 50-year career, he assembled, produced, and managed some of the most popular boy bands in Japan, including Tanokin Trio, Hey! Say! JUMP, SMAP, Arashi, Kanjani8, V6, NEWS, and KAT-TUN. Kitagawa’s impact on the Japanese music industry was undeniable, and his legacy lives on even after his death in 2019.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and legacy of Johnny Kitagawa. We will examine his early life, education, family background, and his journey to becoming one of the most influential people in Japan’s entertainment industry.
Table of Contents
Johnny Kitagawa Age and Education
He was born on October 23, 1931, in Los Angeles, California. His parents were Japanese immigrants, and he was the youngest of eight siblings. When Johnny Kitagawa was just a few months old, his family moved back to Japan, where he spent the rest of his childhood.
Johnny Kitagawa attended Aoyama Gakuin University, where he studied business administration. After graduating, he worked at a trading company for a short time before pursuing a career in entertainment.
Family and Siblings
Johnny was born in Los Angeles, California on October 23, 1931. His parents, Japanese immigrants, owned a small grocery store in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. His father named Taido Kitagawa was a renowned priest of Buddhist. Also, he was the third head bishop of the Koyasan Buddhist Temple.
Johnny’s childhood was marked by the Japanese-American internment during World War II, when his family was forcibly relocated to an internment camp in Arizona. After the war, Johnny Kitagawa and his family moved to Japan, where he would later become a key figure in the entertainment industry.
Johnny had 2 sisters named Mary Kitagawa and Masakazu Kitagawa, but very little is known about them. It is likely that they did not play a major role in Johnny’s life, as he was much younger than them and had a very different career path.
Quick Wiki/BIO
| Birthday | October 23, 1931 |
| Age | 87 years old (at death time) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Parents | Taido Kitagawa |
| Siblings | Mary and Masakazu Kitagawa |
| Wife | Unmarried |
| Marital Status | Never married |
| Relationship | Unknown |
| Girlfriend | Unknown |
| Kids | None |
| Career | Entertainment impresario and founder of Johnny & Associates |
| Net Worth | Approximately $50 million USD |
| Height | 5’8” |
| Weight | 72 kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Tattoos | No |
| Death Date | 9 July 2019 |
| Cause of Death | Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Stroke |
| Death Place | Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan |
| Piercings | None |
| Education | Graduated |
| Alma Mater | Private School |
| Ethnicity | Asian |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Wikipedia | Check Here |
| Homepage | Check Here |
Johnny Kitagawa Wife and Kids
He was never married and did not have any children. He was known for his dedication to his work, which consumed much of his time and energy. He was often described as a workaholic who was constantly focused on his business and his clients.
It is worth noting that Johnny Kitagawa was a private person who rarely spoke about his personal life. As a result, there may be information about his family life that is not publicly known.
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Johnny Kitagawa Legacy
Despite the lack of information about his personal life, Johnny Kitagawa’s contributions to the entertainment industry are undeniable. He was instrumental in shaping the Japanese pop-idol culture and was responsible for creating some of the most popular boy bands in Japan, including SMAP, Arashi, and KAT-TUN. He was known for his hands-on approach to management and his commitment to developing young talent.
What is Johnny Kitagawa Career?
This talented entrepreneur’s career began in the entertainment industry in the 1950s when he worked as a choreographer for Hollywood films shot in Japan. In the early 1960s, Johnny Kitagawa founded his own talent agency, Johnny & Associates, which became one of the most powerful entertainment companies in Japan.
Through Johnny & Associates, Kitagawa produced many successful boy bands, including SMAP, Arashi, and KAT-TUN. He was also known for creating the “Johnny’s Juniors,” a training program for young male performers who would later debut as part of boy bands.
Net Worth
Johnny Kitagawa’s net worth at the time of his death in 2019 was estimated to be around $50 Million.
How did Johnny Kitagawa die?
He passed away on July 9, 2019, at the age of 87. Johnny Kitagawa had been hospitalized for a stroke and passed away due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage stroke.
Sexual Harassment Case
In 1999, several men came forward and accused Johnny Kitagawa of sexual assault and harassment. The allegations dated back to the 1970s and 1980s, and included claims of forced kissing, groping, and sexual assault.
Kitagawa denied the allegations, and the case was settled out of court. The details of the settlement were not made public, and Kitagawa was never charged with a crime.
Johnny Kitagawa Assaulted Okamoto Kauan
In recent years, there have been further allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against Kitagawa, including accusations made by former employee Okamoto Kauan.
In 2023, Kauan alleged that she had been sexually harassed by Kitagawa while she was working at Johnny & Associates in the early 2000s. According to Kauan, Johnny Kitagawawould often touch her inappropriately and make sexual comments to her. She also alleged that he had asked her to engage in sexual acts with him.
Kauan’s allegations have caused shockwaves throughout the Japanese entertainment industry, which has long been criticized for its treatment of women. The industry is known for its strict gender roles and the objectification of women, and there have been numerous allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct over the years
Facts and Trivia
- Johnny Kitagawa was known for his strict control over his boy bands, including restrictions on dating and public appearances.
- He was also known for his philanthropy and established the Johnny Kitagawa Memorial Fund for Children in 2007.
- Kitagawa was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government in 1999.
FAQs of Johnny Kitagawa
Who was Johnny Kitagawa?
He was a Japanese talent manager and the founder of Johnny & Associates, a talent agency that specializes in male idols.
When was Johnny Kitagawa born?
Johnny was born on October 31, 1931.
When did Johnny Kitagawa pass away?
Kitagawa passed away on July 9, 2019.
What was Johnny Kitagawa’s role in the Japanese entertainment industry?
He was a pioneer in the Japanese entertainment industry, particularly in the field of male idols. He was instrumental in launching the careers of many of Japan’s biggest stars, including SMAP, Arashi, and Hey! Say! JUMP.
What were some of Johnny Kitagawa’s notable achievements?
Johnny was inducted into the Japanese American National Museum’s “An American Story” exhibit in 2014 for his contributions to the entertainment industry.